What's the difference between a donkey and a burro?

Many people continue to misunderstand the terminology associated with the donkey. The word “donkey” is derived from the English word “dun” meaning gray and “ky” meaning small. The word donkey has been around for hundreds of years and had become a term used to describe all members of the ass family.

The word “burro” is a simple translation of the English word donkey. Burro is to donkey as hermano is to brother. Both words reflect the same meaning. In the United States, we use the term burro to differentiate between the domesticated donkey and the wild free ranging burros. Therefore a burro is wild and a donkey is domesticated. There are no physical differences between the two.

How long does a donkey live?

The average American Donkey, if properly fed, wormed and vaccinated, should live about 40 years.

What does a donkey eat?

In the wild, donkeys thrive on the barest of desert scrub. They are browsers and eat continuously throughout the day. In captivity, donkeys should be fed a lower protein diet consisting of grass hay. Donkeys should eat around 2% of their body weight each day, broken into two or three feedings.

How often do donkeys need their hooves trimmed?

This varies widely from donkey to donkey. If the donkeys have a large play area with rock or hard soil, they may be able to keep their hooves maintained without trimming. If you live in an area with 4 seasons, the donkey's hooves typically will not grow as much during the colder months. Other factors that affect hoof growth are diet, age, amount of exercise and hormone balance.

How long is a donkey pregnant?

One full year.

Are twins common?

Studies show that most donkey pregnancies begin as twins with one being absorbed early on. PVDR has had two sets of twins make it full term, but sadly they were stillborn.

What is the difference between a donkey and a mule?

A donkey is a species of equine. A mule is a hybrid, a cross between a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare). Mules are sterile and cannot reproduce.

Are there different sizes of donkeys?

Donkeys come in 3 size categories. Miniature are 36” or shorter at the withers (highest point of the back). Mammoths are 56” or larger and standards are everything in between.